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Flatulence!

by Rachel
(Derbyshire, UK)

We have 2 fabulous boys but one in particular has terrible flatulence.

He has a very boring diet of dried dog food and if we change the flavour the consequences are dire.

He is incredibly greedy and wolfs down his food like lightning and if he has any treats it runs straight through him. Any advice?

ANSWER:

I know, dog flatulence can disrupt a perfect evening in front of your favorite TV program.

Gas is often caused by air gulped down when a dog eats too quickly. To slow down the feeding time try these techniques:

Divide the amount of food in 3 small meals during the day.

Feed your dogs separately to avoid competition.

Put a tennis ball in the food dish, your dog will have to move the ball around to reach the food and slow down his meals.

And here are more general strategies you can try to minimize the problem:

Give your dog frequent walks to help food transit.

Avoid dog foods with soy.

Switch to a highly digestible food with low fiber content.

Change food gradually.

Rise the food bowl.

Avoid table scraps, milk and supplements.

Good luck!

Whippet Wound

by Chelsea
(Portland, Oregon)

My Whippet, Freddie got hurt four days ago.

He ran into the corner of a bench and has an open wound about an inch wide on his side.

It does not seem to be very deep and I opted out of taking him to the vet because I cannot afford it.

I have heard radically different things about how to treat this kind of wound. People say to let it air out, others say bandage it. People say use Neosporin, others say don't. People say let him lick it, others say no. People say it will be fine and their dogs have gone through worse, others say take him in.

I just don't know what to do! The wound is still very fresh looking after four days and it doesn't seem to be healing. But at the same time, it hasn't gotten worse either.

There's no pus, it doesn't smell, and he is just as perky and lively as usual!

He is still just a pup, 11 months old, and I just want him to get better. Do you have any advice for me?

ANSWER

Stitches would have helped a faster healing of the wound but since you don't want to take your whippet to the vet, try to look after him at home.

Keep the wound clean with a mild, non stinging disinfectant.

If it is possible and it is not too late, try to close the wound with an adhesive bandage.

Don't let your dog lick the wound because with intensive licking he can make the gap wider. If necessary use a recovery collar.

Wishing your Freddy a quick recovery!

Whippet Going Stiff and Staggering

by Lynn Snee
(Leicester, England)

My whippet is nearly seven and for the last six months she has been having occasional spasms.

She goes stiff in her neck and legs, her front legs cross over, she staggers about and she stares.

What do you think it could be?

ANSWER:

If I were you I would take my dog to the vet as soon as possible.

If you would like free vet advice on line or a second opinion, try the link on this page: Free Vet Advice.

I hope your whippet gets better soon!

Whippet Weight Loss

My whippet is in season and has lost a lot of weight, is this normal?

ANSWER:

No, it is not normal for a bitch to loose a lot of weight when in season.
Whippets do not have much fat to spare and I would take her to the vet if she doesn't seem to get better soon.

Neutering

Does neutering have side effects?

ANSWER:

No, neutering doesn't have any side effect.

The look, temperament and abilities of your whippet won't be affected but the behavior with other dogs and around the house will definitely improve.

My neutered whippets became more obedient, less interested in dog fights and stopped the occasional territorial marking of the house.

Whippet Dog FAQ: Tear Stains

by Andrea
(Detroit, Michigan)

Foxy

My whippet has a white face so her tear stains are very noticeable.
What are some things I can use to clean up her pretty little face?

ANSWER:

Foxy has a tired look indeed! Too many late nights? LOL

To be frank I always had dark faced dogs so I was never aware of this problem but I did some research and this is what I found.

The reddish color is due to yeast and bacteria that thrive in the humid habitat caused by excessive tearing.

For all sorts of eye problem, I found very effective chamomile tea. Chamomile has anti-inflammatory and antiseptic properties and it might work also in your case.

This is how to use it.
Make a chamomile tea and let it cool. When it is lukewarm, with clean hands, gently squeeze the tea bag and apply to the eye for as long as your whippet allows you to.
Then, with a clean gauze or cotton wipe the area around the eye with the infusion.

If this simple home remedy doesn’t give immediate relief, consult your vet to check if there is an underlying cause for the excessive tearing.

For an exhaustive discussion about the tear stain problem, read this page. It is written by Bobby Linden, an expert author and owner of Maltese dogs that often show tear stains on their faces.

Please, let us know if the chamomile remedy worked on your Foxy.

All the best

Elda

Do Whippets Get Cramps?

by Ian
(England)

My whippet is 13-14 years old.

About 6-8 weeks ago he sat down in front of me and suddenly started screaming like he was being tortured for about 20 sec.

It happened again next day so I took him to vet, no joy there.

He has done it about 10 times since I noticed recently that his legs go rigid when it happens, normally only one front or one back.

These episodes are totally random, he could be sleeping, walking, laying down etc.

I hope you can help freaking me right out.

ANSWER:

Hello Ian!

Sorry to ear that your whippet is going trough the excruciating pain of leg cramps. Sometimes it happens to me when I am exercising and I can only be very sympathetic to you dog.

Unfortunately there is no specific advise I can give you for this problem.

Maybe you should have him checked again by your vet and x-rays might help to understand what’s the problem with your dog’s legs.

Ask your veterinarian to give your dog medication for inflammation and to ease the pain, it might help.

Good luck!

Older female Whippet has intestinal flu

by Debrah
(Edmonton, AB)

We enjoy our two Whippets, Max (9) and Moro (11). Moro, our female, has had a five day run of intestinal flu, though Max seems fine.

We've had to wash blankets, crates and dogs every morning and night during the past 5 days and are now feeding her a mixture of cooked rice, dry chicken and a bit of plain yogurt.

She is becoming more lively, yet she is still defecating hourly (though truly, it is just fluid). As she's 11 years old, is this a sign of a bigger problem? Taking her to the vet tomorrow.

ANSWER:

Whippets tend to age graciously and 11 is not that old for a whippet. Your girl might still be recovering from the flu.

Surely your vet will be able to asses the situation and to tell you about Moro's problem.

Best wishes for your whippet's prompt recovery.
All the best,

Elda

Whippet Balance

by Patricia
(Northern Ireland)

My whippet is 10 years old and has recently seemed to lose balance, becoming stiff and unsteady at times.
Is 10 old for a whippet? He is eating well & in good form but doesn't run as much.

Also his teeth are not in good condition. He had some removed a few years ago & I really don't want to put him through that again - is there an alternative?


ANSWER:

Ten is not very old age for a whippet but is about the time when they start slowing down. They don’t run as they used to, they are not as playful as before and they may start feeling age related aches and pains.

It is also the time when whippets become the best companions, they are perfectly attuned to their humans and the age gives them wisdom to understand perfectly whatever goes on around them. Cherish your companion in his golden years.

It is difficult to say exactly what is wrong with your whippet’s teeth. With proper care and raw bone chewing there is no reason why a whippet shouldn’t reach his last years with all his teeth. If your dog has special dental needs, I suggest you consult here a free vet online. I’m sure a veterinary doctor can address your dog’s specific dental problem and give you individual advice.

How do I know my whippet has mated successfully, and strange eating habits..??

by Paul Mc Carthy
(Enfield, Co Meath)

Couple of questions I need some guidance on:

My Whippet Bailey mated on July 12th, and I am expecting her to pup on the 14th Sept. I am concerned that she does not appear to be in pup..! Her nipples are showing but there is no obvious sign of a pregnancy.? Is there any way I can be sure she successfully mated and she is indeed in pup.

Second question is her eating habits are all over the place. She was always a picker on her dry food ( Royal Canin) top brand food. Since she mated her appetite has changed, she will not eat her food any more and when I try her on high quality tinned foods like Pedegree Chum, she just picks at it.

When we are eating at the table she sits there looking for food scraps. She loves chicken if that is on our family menu.

Just a little concerned that she is not herself, still very alert and playful with good energy...just something I have observed.

Could you please give me some opinions on what may be going on and if pregnancy can cause this eating behavior.

ANSWER:

To know for sure id your bitch is pregnant take her to the vet.
30 days after the conception, a vet will be able to feel the pups and an ultrasound will confirm if she is pregnant.
Changes in your whippet's feeding habits can also be an indication that she is pregnant.
A sudden decrease of appetite and activity can be an early signs of pregnancy.
After one month into pregnacy her appetite should come back with vengeance and she should start to gain weight.
As usual your vet is your best councellor.
Let us know about Bailey's progress and good luck!

Anxiety Attacks

by Larry Heald

Our nine year old whippet Whimsey has been experiencing anxiety attacks for the last four days.

They come on for no apparent reason and last about 30 minutes. The symptoms are: open mouth, drooling, shaking and tail between her legs.

Has anyone else experienced a similar situation?

ANSWER:

As it is an adult whippet with no previous problems and the attacks arrive without obvious reason, I would immediately check with a vet.

Best wishes for your whippet's health.

Elda

Whippet with Dry Cough

by Nats
(South Africa)

Great site:-)

Our 2yrs 3 months old male whippet, 'Marshmello', does a weird dry cough thing after he drinks water.

Its been happening for about 15 months now and he coughs about 2-3 times. Should we be concerned? We have never (touch wood) had any other problems with him.

Please help - $$$ is tight at the moment and the vet fees are a killa.

Will appreciate any comments..

ANSWER:

Probably a vet can better answer your question.

To submit your problem and get a free consultation go to this page Free Vet Advice.

I hope your whippet gets better soon!

Elda

Red Eyes

by Jess
(Melbourne AUS)

The whites of my whippets eyes are quite red and always have been since we got her as a puppy.. They don't seem to be irritated or anything.. Should I be concerned?

ANSWER:

Only your vet will be able to assess if this condition should be treated.
I suggest you take your whippet for a check up.

All the best,

Elda

Whippet Teeth

How are whippets' teeth? Do they need brushing like the Italian Greyhound?

ANSWER:

Thank you for asking me this question, I was just thinking about writing a page about whippet teeth care!

Actually, whippet's teeth are generally healthy and do not need special care like the Italian greyhounds' teeth.

With regular care and some chewing bones they stay healthy also in old age.

Stiff Legged Whippet

My whippet (rescue dog, approx 3-5 years) has a lot of trouble with his back legs every few days.

This usually happens in the morning and sometimes at night.

His back legs go very stiff and close together. His back arches and he struggles to walk.

When this happens, he cries and squeals and avoids stairs.

However, this usually passes and after about 5-10 minutes he's normal and able to walk, run and jump per usual.

There does not seem to be any pattern to this and it is so distressing!

ANSWER

Difficult to say what is going on with your dog.

Generally whippets are not prone to hip dysplasia or arthritis and your dog is still young.

I would take him to the vet for a good check up.

With a thorough visit the veterinarian doctor should be able to assess the cause of your whippet's problem.

Good luck!

Partial torn CCL in rear leg

by Jennife
(Manchester MI USA)

Have a 2 yrs., old male whippet who loves to chase the ball and tear it up with his buddy a 5 yrs female. Noticed one morning, about a month and half ago he was limping on his rear left leg. As the day went on he appeared to not be limping.

Would let me touch his leg and look at his pads, didn't pull away or show any sign of pain. I restricted as much as I could his activity. Once he wasn't limping at all, I let him go back at it. Shortly after he was limping on the front.

I took him to the vet and he had broke his "little" toe. I mentioned that he had been limping on the back leg. The vet looked at him and couldn't find anything. He has been limping on and off the rear leg again. I talked with the breeder and she suggested I take him to a chiropractor.

This Friday he went out and played ball, ran all over. Saturday morning he was limping very bad, the worst I have ever seen. I took him in to the chiropractor today but first the vet who is also a orthopedic surgeon looked at him.

As soon as she saw him walk, she checked his "knee" and told me she believe he had a partial tear of his CCl. You can see signs of atrophy in the leg.

The vet is suggesting surgery a TTA repair not as invasive as a TLOP. Looking for some advice.

Thank you Jennifer

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